The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1887-01-07
CHAPTER l.
A DECLARATION.

DECLARATION.
On tho afternoon Of n perfect June day
Rachel Bond sat beneath an apple tree at the
crest Of n moderate hill and lnn.:cl tlrcanily
away to where beyond the village of Sa,1lis
Mt the foot Of the hill, the Miami river marked
the beautiful valley like u silver ribbon care
leSsly flung upon web of green velvet.
Rather she seemed to be looking there, for
the light that usually shone outward in those
luminous eyes was turned inward The little
volume of poems had dropped unhcedcd from
tho white hand. 1t had done its office; tho
passion of its lines had keyed her thoughts to
a harmony that suffused her whole being,
until all seemed as naturally part OF the
glorious day us tn. flcccy clouds in tho sap
phirc sky, the cheerful hum Of the bees, and
the apple blossoms luxurious scent.
Tier love, and quito as much her girish
ambition, had been crowned with violcts and
bays some weeks before, when the fever heat
of patriotism seemed bring another passion
in Harry Glcn's bosom to the cruptive point,
and there came tho long waited for nvowal
Of his love, which was made OH tho evening
before his company departed to respond to
tho call for troops which followed the fall of
Fort Sumter.
After the meeting at which Harry had
signed the recruiting roll, he had taken her
home up tho long, sloping hill, through MOON
light us soft, rs inspiring, as clarifying us
that which had melted even the frosty God
siess of Mailenhood, so that she stopped from
her heavenly unapproachatleness, and kissed
tho handsome Endymo as he slept
Though little, and that commonplace, was
said ms they walked, subtle womanly instinct
prepared Rachefs mind for what was coming
and her grasp upon Harry's arm assumed
new feeling that hurried him Oh to the crisis.
They stopped beneath the old apple tree, at
the crest OF the hil ant in front of tho house.
Its Snarlcd and twisted limbs had been but
freshly clothed in a suit of fragrant green
leaves
The rud'ly bonfircs, lighted for the war
meeting, still burned in the village below.
The hum of supplementary speeches
TO tho excited crowds that still lin
gered about came to their ears mingled
with cheers from Threats rapidly grow
ing hoarsc, and the throb and wall OF fife and
drum, Then, upliftel on the voices of hum
uieds who sang it rs only men, and men
swayed by powerful emotions can, roso the
cvcrslorions "Star Spansletl Banner" lofti.si
nlid most inspiring of national hymns,
through Its long, forccful measures, which
nave the sweep and ring of marching bat
m''ons, swung the singers, with passionate
earl"stness that made every note and word
glow with meaning. The swelling p;ran told
OF the hcroism and sacrifice with which the
foundations OF the nation were laid. of the
glory to which the land had risen, and then
It's moot changing to one of ,lirc,css and
Wrath, u iorctolu the just punishment of
those who broke the peace of happy land
inc mood Of the Snrtlis people was that
patriotic cxaltation which reigi,cl in every
city and village Of the north on that mcn,o.- |
ahlc night Of April, 1861.
But Rachel and Harry had left far behind !
the'n this passion OF the multitude, which had
Set their own to throhbins, even as the rom
Of cannon will wake, the vibrations of
harp strings. Around wh"ro they stood was
the peace OF the night and sleep. Th. per
iume o! riolcts AMI hyncinths, and of myro,
OF opening BUDS secnn I shed bv IN. ,,n,,
with her s'lvcry rays through the soft, ,lewv
air; n t'w nocturnal insects ,lrmcl hi,hcr nnI
th'thcr, and "arowSy tiu,slngs m,,rl th,
distant folds"
AS tl'clr steps We're arrested Rachel r,lensca
hcr grasp from liarry's arm, but he c,u,ht
her hand before it fell to her side, and held !,
last She turned her face frankly towor.,
h'n', and he looked down with unxious cvcs
upon the broad white forehead, framed in
slikcn black hair, upon great cyes. flaming
WIN n meaning that h. feared to intrrnrct
upon the eloquent lines about tho mobile sen,
si'l'e mouth. all now lifted into almost su.
IHrha'aral beauty by the nloonlight's spirit.
uaizins magic
What lie said he could never aGterw,r,,
recall His first memory was that of a raus,
!" his speech, when he saw the ripe, red Inns
turned toward him with gesture IF ,ha
proud head that was both an assent and ;nv;.
ta''"n' Tho kiss that he pressed there thrille,
nm with the intoxication Of uncxn,tcdIv
rewarded love, and Rachel with the rla,lnes,
Of triumph.
Nhat they aftcrwari said was us inrohere,t
as inc conversations Of those rapturous mo
mcnts ever are. ' '''''
iou know we leave in the u,oruin. Z. ,,o
SAM, when ut last it became necessary 60.
him Ia 60 '''
les, shran>Wcr"l Ha'nlv "Ar,,4,rs,.
II Is better that it ,,.oH.l T., so--....,; Ne ha
npart Tor Il 't'lc While 10 consider Inns ,a,,-
ionnd happiness .Hd understand it ,n,,,
IN sustained with the thought that in niyin-
70" l" IN" country have given more than
any Oh. else know That you will do soma.
''','s '"''' VIII mako ~" stu pro,rier OF Won
ann my pr'ScntmrntS which never FIJI, ~,
'S ,' me mat you will return To mo so+,lv y
.,'s lace showed little Disappointment
with The answer "'
She rrat h,l SHOW, 1a,. -,